Eastern Front Medal – 25

Product Description: A superb example of the Eastern Front Medal, officially awarded for service during the brutal winter campaign of 1941–42. Struck in zinc and maker marked “25” on the suspension ring, denoting manufacture by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Graveur-, Gold- und Silberschmiede-Innungen of Hanau, this medal is an outstanding specimen, far exceeding the typical condition seen with this award.

The medal retains a striking, smooth gunmetal-blue patina, with minimal surface wear and a notably high degree of original silvering still present—particularly around the rim and suspension ring, with only light fading visible on the Wehrmacht helmet. The suspension ring is intact and clearly stamped with the Präsidialkanzlei code. Accompanied by a full-length, vibrant ribbon showing no fraying or staining, this piece is a true standout. Scarce in such well-preserved condition, it offers collectors both exceptional aesthetic appeal and historical value.

Historical Description: The Eastern Front Medal (Medaille “Winterschlacht im Osten” 1941/42) was a German military campaign decoration awarded to all Axis personnel who met specific criteria pertaining toduty on the Eastern Front between November 15, 1941, and April 15, 1942. This was the bitter, horrible first winter on the Eastern Front, in which millions of men who were unprepared for the brunt of the Russian winter were forced to fight in often inhuman conditions. The award was designed by SS-Unterscharführer Ernst Krauit. The obverse featured a striking Wehrmacht eagle on a massive, static swastika, surmounted by a Wehrmacht steel helmet and hand grenade. Early examples of this award were tombak, with later issues being struck from zinc. The medal had a chemically darkened finish, with silvering on the rim and to the helmet and hand grenade motif. It was suspended from a red, white and black striped ribbon. On field uniforms, only the ribbon was worn; the medal could be worn as part of a medal bar on dress uniforms. To earn this award, soldiers had to have served within a specific geographic region that had been officially designated as the area of the Eastern Front. Within this region, to qualify for the award, ground soldiers had to have experienced 14 days of active combat, or 60 days of continuous service in a combat zone. Soldiers who were wounded in combat or who suffered frostbite severe enough to merit the award of a Wound Badge were also eligible for the Eastern Front Medal. Luftwaffe soldiers had to have flown 30 combat sorties over the Front to qualify. In 1943, the award criteria were expanded to allow for awards to non-combatants who had served within the area of the Front. By the time award of the Eastern Front Medal ceased in September 1944, over three million of the medals had been awarded.

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